Com: Tolga: Certain tree species can have a Tap Root as deep as the tree is tall! It is better to shovel around the tree and cut the roots, also if you leave the height of the tree up, attaching a cable or whatever you're using at a height, it's the Physics, Leverage effect! It's much safer and efficient that way! We had friends who cleared they're land that way, using an old 24Hp Johnny Popper for pulling, and the root ball of the tree would come out.